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Southampton logo
Premier League
Sep 26, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Swansea logo

3-1

van Dijk (11'), Sung-yueng (54' og.), Mane (61')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Sigurdsson (83' pen.)

Player Ratings: Southampton 3-1 Swansea City

Sports Mole rates the players who took part in the Premier League game between Southampton and Swansea City, which finished 3-1 to the Saints.

Southampton have clinched their second Premier League success of the season with a solid 3-1 win against Swansea City at St Mary's Stadium.

Ronald Koeman's charges took the lead 10 minutes in through Virgil van Dijk's header, before Ki Sung-yeung's own goal and a Sadio Mane rebound put the hosts three goals to the good.

Gylfi Sigurdsson's strike from the penalty spot, after Neil Taylor was brought down by Jose Fonte, proved little more than a consolation for Garry Monk's side.

The two teams are now level with nine points apiece in the Premier League table, Swansea on a run of four games in all competitions without a win.

Sports Mole rates each of the players who took part in the game to determine who shined for their team and who let the side down.


Dusan Tadic (R) of Southampton celebrates scoring his team's second goal with his team mates during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Swansea City at St Mary's Stadium on September 26, 2015© Getty Images

SOUTHAMPTON

Goal

Maarten Stekelenburg: Confident and steadfast, he dealt well with the shots that came his way and showed good judgement when coming out for crosses and for loose balls in the box. (7/10)

Defence

Cedric Soares: Was nervy at times, misplacing a couple of passes in dangerous areas, but was decent enough on the whole. (6/10)

Jose Fonte: Dealt well with the obvious threat with Ayew, nullifying his play, but conceded a late penalty late on which Sigurdsson converted. (6/10)

Virgil van Dijk: Scored his first goal for the club with a thumping header and didn't put a foot wrong at the back either. (8/10)

Ryan Bertrand: Played a role in the third goal thanks to his good overlapping play and defended well too. A good return to action considering his long-term absence. (7/10)

Midfield

James Ward-Prowse: Supplied the assist for Mane's goal and showed clean, clever movement on the pitch. (7/10)

Victor Wanyama: A constant thorn in Swansea's side, he broke up play, launched into fair challenges and battled hard in the centre of the park. (8/10)

Sadio Mane: Was a constant menace with his forays into the middle from the right and was rewarded with a goal in the second half. (8/10)

Steven Davis: Distributed the ball efficiently in midfield but was guilty of leaving a bit too much space at times, leaving his defence exposed to counterattacks. (6/10)

Dusan Tadic: A good display on the left wing, his deliveries caused havoc in the Swansea back line. (7/10)

Attack

Graziano Pelle: Couldn't take the chances that came his way but put in plenty of effort and played a significant role in Tadic's strike which led to Swansea's own goal. (7/10)

Substitutes

Oriol Romeu: Replaced Davis in the 63rd minute and, as has been the norm in recent games, was shown a yellow for a rash challenge. (5/10)

Jay Rodriguez: Came on in the 74th minute with his side three goals up, and wasn't really asked to do much except see out the game. (6/10)

Juanmi: Like Rodriguez, failed to have much of an impact after his late arrival to the action. (6/10)


Gylfi Sigurdsson of Swansea City scores his team's first goal from the penalty spot during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Swansea City at St Mary's Stadium on September 26, 2015© Getty Images

SWANSEA

Goal

Lukasz Fabianski: Was let down by his defence on the opening goal but, despite having three put past him, was not too much to blame. Confident coming off his line for loose balls. (6/10)

Defence

Kyle Naughton: Struggled against his opposite number for much of the game and failed to provide adequate width on the right flank. (5/10)

Federico Fernandez: One of many Swans players who had a bad day at the office, was easily overrun by the livewire Pelle time and time again. (5/10)

Ashley Williams: Was responsible for many challenges that could have made Southampton's goal tally even more emphatic, and marshalled his back line as best as he could. (7/10)

Neil Taylor: Weighed in with a strong, firm challenge to deny Mane in the first half and won a late penalty for his side thanks to his confident forward play. (7/10)

Midfield

Ki Sung-yeung: Missed a decent chance on the follow-up early on and was unlucky enough to help Tadic's cross into the net following his deflection. (5/10)

Jack Cork: Was caught out by Van Dijk, who got the better of him for the opening goal, and was replaced at half time following a poor performance overall. (5/10)

Jonjo Shelvey: Could not replicate last season's emphatic matchwinner against the Saints, but at least he did try on a number of occasions, a few of which adequately tested Stekelenburg. (6/10)

Andre Ayew: One of the in-form players in the league, he was rendered ineffective by the opposition, who barely gave him a glimpse of the ball in the first half. Did not improve after the restart either. (6/10)

Gylfi Sigurdsson: His ferociously-struck penalty gave his side hope, however scant, but his overall display was not up to scratch against an inspired Saints defence. (6/10)

Attack

Bafetimbi Gomis: Led the line admirably in the first half but contributed little of substance, before being taken off at half time in a tactical change. (6/10)

Substitutes

Leon Britton: Brought on for the booked Shelvey with 10 minutes remaining purely out of precaution, but with his side so far behind, couldn't really do much to turn the tide on his own. (6/10)

Eder: Replaced Gomis at half time and made some good runs in behind the defence, but didn't really offer much in the final third, with his shot shortly after the restart sailing well over. (6/10)

Jefferson Montero: Another player who had been making waves following his early-season displays, but like the other stars in his side, failed to replicate the quality we all know he can show at St Mary's. (6/10)


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Virgil van Dijk of Southampton scores his team's first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Swansea City at St Mary's Stadium on September 26, 2015
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